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The Rose

Fragrant rose stands alone

Protected by her thorns

Facing winds, pests, disease

Surrounded by her peers

 

By herself in a group

She meets her fate head on

Knowing that all blooms fade

Her time is limited

 

Bud to bloom, path is set

Each petal will unfold

Sharing joy, beauty’s gift

Revealing what’s inside

 

We’re unique, talented

Our mission is to use

What we have, who we are

To help our fellow man

Sail on, my Captain

Sixteen years ago I wrote the following lighthearted poem in honor of my husband Roger and two friends, Roger and Mike, who raced our sailboat in the 1998 National Catalina Race held in Westbrook, Connecticut.  They took first for the tall rig division in all three races.  Yes, readers, the sailboat’s name was Sloopy, the inspiration for the fictional 36 foot sloop that Liz and Garret live aboard in Murder in Mystic, Murder in Newport and Two Headed Snake of Key West.  Our Sloopy was fast and my husband could make a mighty Margarita.

I am sharing this with you in memory of my husband, who passed away on July 1, 2014.  Sail on, my captain.

 

The pressure was on

To win a glass cup

Each silently prayed

He wouldn’t screw up

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

The guy thing, you know

Machismo, at best

The challenge would come

They’d be put to the test

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

The good Lord was laughing

As they hoisted the main.

These three would need blessings,

And more, it was plain

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Wine made from water

Was easy for sure,

But Roger, Mike, Roger

Three races endure?

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

The task was immense

But these were nice guys

He raised His arms up

And Sloopy did rise.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

She raced to the finish

Three bullets to boot

Miracles do happen.

There’s proof in the loot.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

The lesson each learned,

To celebrate life

Believe in oneself

Be good to your wife.

Positively Positive

This past week POSITIVE has been attacking me from all sides.  A friend sent me a book by Joel Zeff, Make The Right Choice, Creating a Positive, Innovative and Productive Work Life.  His premise is that we all need Positive Support.  He walks through several examples of how to give positive support in the workplace.  Chapter Five is my favorite.  He states that Fun, Passion and Happiness are choices.  The onus is on the individual.  Challenges and frustrations pop up. It is how we deal with them that makes a difference.

On Thursday, my sister invited me to a book signing.  Title of the book is Profit from the Positive: Proven Leadership Strategies to Boost Productivity and Transform Your BusinessThere it is again!  Is this synchronicity or is the world going positively positive?   One of the authors, Margaret Greenberg, talked the talk and walked the walk.  She was vivacious and warm as she gave a short explanation of positive psychology and her career as a business coach.

My brain churned all that I had learned.  Was all this positive energy going to fry it?  I needed real life examples, not theories and empty promises.  Again, I asked and the universe provided.  The best teachers were standing in front of me, two boys, ages 12 and 10, who are my idols.  They swim competitively, having learned at a young age about hard work, discipline, winning and losing.  Swimming is an individual sport.  There is no passing the buck.  The will to dig deep resides within whether the ranking is twenty-sixth or first.

Last weekend I had the pleasure to witness the 4 day Eastern Zone 2013 Long Course Age Group Championship in Richmond, VA.  The pool area was packed with children from New England, Tri-state and Mid-Atlantic regions.  Each child endured hours of waiting to swim one or two events per day that would last 30 seconds to 4 minutes, depending on the event.  The positive energy from the children and the parents in the balcony was electrifying.

After the meet, I spent three days with my special heroes.  With all the intensity it takes to be a child athlete and student, there is always room for play.  Life is fun!  It is loaded with games, not just electronic and board games developed to entertain.   There are the ones that come to mind when trapped in a car for a long trip.  “I’m thinking of a number….” or “Twenty questions” or “Let’s see how many states we can see on license plates” or “Let’s go through the alphabet picking letters from signs along the highway” and my favorite, “Let’s look for Mustangs, convertibles, PT Cruisers, motorcycles, etc.”

As stated in the Nike logo, “Just do it”  and have fun at the same time.  Let the inner child out.  I am Positively Positive that is the path to happiness.

Pot of Gold

Lightening streaked across the western sky.  Whitecaps smashed against Key West’s Sunset Pier. Thunder exploded deep into my bones.  I shuddered, but kept a brave face.   Within minutes it was gone, as quickly as it had come.   Brilliant sunlight replaced the ominous black clouds.  I looked to the East from the safety of my balcony retreat.   A  soft rainbow arch  framed my world.  I thought of the pot of gold waiting for me at the end of the rainbow.    All my dreams would be fulfilled if I had that pot of gold.

How many of us race through life thinking we would be happy if we were thinner, wealthier, smarter or prettier, ignoring  the gifts that are in front of our noses today?  I am guilty of being blind to the beautiful roses at the edge of the deck, turning a deaf ear to the birds’ songs, opting to read a self improvement book instead of throwing the ball for the patient pup at my feet and taking for granted the gourmet meal the my husband created to please me.

My elusive pot of gold is intangible.  It resonates in my soul.  As I strive to learn and grow, I must never forget that with every breath I take, I am living the dream now in the world that I have created.

 

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Margarita Recipe

Garret’s Key West Margarita

Fresh squeezed juice of 6 Key Limes

1 jigger of silver tequila

1 jigger of Triple Sec

1 jigger of Rose’s lime juice

Shake vigorously.  Pour over ice.

Float ½ jigger of Grand Marnier on top

Enjoy!  Repeat as needed!